Wire stripper



July 31, 1962 s. R. PATRICK 3,046,820

WIRE STRIPPER Filed July 15, 1959 Stanley R. Patrick ilnited rates Eatent ii 3,046,820 WEE STREPER Stanley R. Patrick, Irwin, Pa. (65 Cherry Ave., Washington, Pa.) Filed July 15, 1959, Ser. No. 827,332 3 Qlaims. (Cl. 819.5)

This invention relates to new and useful improvements in wire strippers to be used particularly, although not necessarily, for removing plastic insulation from conductor wires in the art of telephone cable splicing, and has for its primary object to provide, in a manner as hereinafter set forth, a tool of this character which does not cut or scrape and consequently damage the wire but which, rather, crushes or pulverizes, longitudinally splits, and breaks the insulation loose from said wire.

Another important object of the presentinvention is to provide an improved wire stripper of the aforementioned character which may be incorporated in a pair of scissors, pliers, etc., thus providing compound tools for various operations.

Still another important object of the invention is to provide a tool of the character described which is adapted to strip a plurality of wires simultaneously.

Another object of the invention is to provide a tool of the character set forth which may readily be used for stripping various sizes of wires.

Gther objects of the invention are to provide a wire stripping tool which will be comparatively simple in construction, strong, durable, compact, of light weight, and which may be manufactured at low cost.

These, together with other objects and advantages which will become subsequently apparent, reside in the details of construction and operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout, and in which:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view, showing a tool embodying the present invention in use;

FIGURE 2 is a view in side elevation of the device;

FIGURE 3 is an enlarged view in transverse section substantially on the line 3-3 of FIGURE 2 but showing the tool open; and

FIGURE 4 is an enlarged sectional view, taken substantially on the line 44 of FIGURE 3.

Referring now to the drawing in detail, it will be seen that the reference character 5 designates generally an electricians scissors. The scissors 5 includes the usual upper and lower blades 6 and 7, respectively, which are crossed and pivotally connected at one end, as indicated at S. Handles 9 are provided on the pivotally connected ends of the blades 6 and 7.

Fixed at an intermediate point on the upper blade 6 and projecting laterally therefrom is an upper jaw 10. As shown to advantage in FIGURE 2 of the drawing, the upper jaw 10 is spaced above the cutting edge 11 of the blade 6.

Fixed at an intermediate point on the lower blade 7 and projecting laterally therefrom in opposed relation to the upper jaw 10 is a lower jaw 12. The lower jaw 12, it will be noted, is flush with the cutting edge 13 of the blade 7. The lower jaw 12 projects beyond the outer end of the upper jaw 10 and is provided, on its outer or free end portion, with an upstanding lug or stop 14, the purpose of which will be presently set forth.

The upper and the lower jaws 10 and 12, respectively,

are of the cross-sectional shape shown to advantage in FIGURE 4 of the drawing. The upper jaw 10 includes a generally rounded face 15. The lower jaw 12 comprises a similar face 16.

It is thought that the use of the tool will be readily apparent from a consideration of the foregoing. Briefly,

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the scissors 5 are opened, thus opening or spreading the jaws 10 and 12 for the reception of the conductor wire therebetween, as indicated at 17. The blades 6 and 7 are then closed for firmly clamping the conductor 17 between the jaws 10 and 12. Pressure is applied in an obvious manner and the rounded faces 15 and 16 of the jaws 10 and 12 crush and pulverize the elastic plastic insulation 18 of the conductor 17. The forward end of the conductor 17 is anchored or held and the tool is pulled rearwardly thereon. Thus, the elastic insulation 18 is crushed and longitudinally split at two points 180 apart between the wire 19 of the conductor 17 and the upper and lower jaws 10 and 12. Compression of the now longitudinally split insulation 18 between the jaws 10 and 12 also lateral- 1y bulges and tensions the two halves of said insulation. When the jaws pass, contraction occurs and the insulation is free of the wire to a point immediately behind the jaws. The lug or stop 14 prevents the conductor from escaping from between the jaws. The construction and arrangement is such that the wire stripping means interferes in no way with the functioning of the blades 6 and 7. The construction and arrangement also is such that two or more conductor cords may be stripped simultaneously. Also, the tool will readily accommodate various sizes of conductor wires or cords.

The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention as claimed.

What is claimed as new is as follows:

1. A wire stripper comprisinga pair of elongated lever members crossed and pivotally secured togetherat points spaced intermediate their opposite ends, a pair of elongated generally parallel jaws carried by and projecting laterally from one pair of corresponding free end portions of said lever members, disposed in side-b-y-side relation and movable toward and away from each other upon relative pivotal movement of said lever members, said jaws including elongated, opposing, parallel and coacting insulated wire gripping faces extending longitudinally of said jaws, said faces being smoothly transversely convexed and divergent toward one pair of corresponding sides thereof and the other pair of corresponding free ends of said lever members, lines tangent to said faces at their closest points to each other, defining an acute included angle.

2. The combination of claim 1 wherein at least one of said jaws projects laterally from the corresponding lever member a spaced distance from the surface of said corresponding lever member opposing the adjacent surface of the other lever member.

3. The combination of claim 2 wherein the free end of one of said jaws includes a laterally directed stop lug extending toward and adapted to extend closely adjacent and transversely of the free end of the other of said jaws when the latter are disposed adjacent each other.

Stephenson Apr. 29, 1952 

